He started off as just another young player, looking to make it at one of the biggest clubs. Aaron Ramsey started off his career at hometown club Cardiff City. He was snapped up by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger in the summer of 2008 when he was just 17. But early on in his Gunners, he picked up a number of injuries which meant his fitness levels were dropping. He was then sent o loan to Nottingham Forest, and former club Cardiff City, in a bid to regain his fitness.
17-year-old Aaron Ramsey with his Arsenal shirt after signing for the Gunners in the summer of 2008.
Cast your minds back to 2010, when Arsenal were playing Stoke, and Aaron Ramsey picked up a horrific, yet accidental injury which saw the Welshman break his leg as himself and Ryan Shawcross went in for the ball. It was one of those unfortunate, yet preventable moments in football. It was a terrible time for a player who is still quite young, and at that time he was developing game by game. He took a few years to fully recover and get over what happened to him that game, which is understandable, and even by his own admissions, he says it has been a hard, long road to recover, but has been worth it.
Here’s just some of what he said in an interview with the Daily Mail earlier this year: “It was a really tough thing to go through and I don’t wish it upon anybody,’ said Ramsey. “The determination and the professionalism that you need, all the hours you have to spend in the gym, it’s quite tough. But I’ve got through that. It’s taken me a bit longer than I would’ve liked, but I’m happy now where I am, and hoping to improve and carry on this good form that I’m in.”
Now fast-forward 3 years. He is now in fantastic shape, both physically and mentally, and is in superb form for Arsenal. He has started this season brilliantly, and has also added goals to his game, which has shown in the games he has played so far this season. He is turning out to be instrumental for Arsenal, providing assists, goals, getting forward more often, having the confidence to illustrate moves from the midfield, having more confidence on the ball etc. Despite the arrival of Mesut Ozil in the summer transfer window, I still feel Ramsey will be a key figure in the Arsenal midfield, something which has so far been proven by his performances. He looks more now, to dictate what goes on in the midfield, while also having the opportunities to roam forward and join in attacks, alternatively with Jack Wilshere.
He is playing with the confidence that he perhaps lost after his injury and during his comeback. An injury like that can have that kind of affect on players, as they lose the confidence to be on the ball for certain periods of time, and don’t feel comfortable when going in for tackles, in fear of sustaining another injury. But with the confidence he has now, he has cemented a place in the Arsenal XI and has been instrumental for them so far. He has more confidence when in possession of the ball, when passing the ball and when going forward. It’s almost like he is a new player with an added dimension to his game.
This is what Ramsey said on his confidence: “Confidence is a massive thing and if you’re struggling with that it does reflect in your performances. But I’ve got that back now. I’m hungry to keep that shirt and I’ve proved that with the way I’ve been playing of late. “There has been a good progression and hopefully I can get back to where I was. That injury did take it out of me and hopefully that will only have been a minor hiccup when I look back on my career.”
Aaron Ramsey has won 63% of duels this season. (Credit: squawka.com)
The image of statistics above are only emphasising the confidence Ramsey has now in terms of tackling. 95% of his tackles have ben successful so far this season, which is an outstanding statistics. This is what he said in terms of getting stuck in during games: “I’m getting stuck in a lot more,’ he said. “I’m winning a lot more balls back and reading the game better and moving the ball quicker, which suit’s the way we play. I’ve had positive feedback from the boss.”
Aaron Ramsey’s passing accuracy this season has an average of 87%. (Credit: squawka.com)
So, as you can see even from these two statistic images, Ramsey confidence on and off the ball is growing, and he is adding more to his game, which is always fantastic to see. He has merged himself into one of Arsenal’s most vital players, and if he continues in this way, he will only get better. He seems to be such an underrated player by many, but he is now showing those doubters the player Arsenal were convinced they signed. I can’t wait to see the Aaron Ramsey of two or three years from now.
Chip's Analysis 